Kyle Walker hits out over ‘completely unacceptable’ Man City accusation
Kyle Walker has hit back at comments about his absence from the Man City matchday squad for their draw at Brentford.
After the right-back was absent from his side’s FA Cup win over Salford City at the weekend, Pep Guardiola confirmed that was due to the fact he has asked to leave the Etihad.
As his future is resolved, the 34-year-old was again missing for the Premier League champions as they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Brentford on Tuesday (14 January), to the frustration of Guardiola.
Some Man City fans were not happy with the revelation that Walker has asked to leave the club, and his absence against Thomas Frank’s side has not gone down well either.
With the right-back not involved against the Bees, one X account focused on the club wrote:
“Kyle Walker’s behavior is completely unacceptable. As club captain, failing to show up for matches is a disgrace. If you want to leave, do it with respect—this is not the way. Your lack of commitment has been a major factor in this disappointing campaign.”
That has not gone unnoticed by the player himself, who took to X to issue a response to those claims, writing:
“Failed to turn up? I can’t be at Brentford and training at the same time. You may need to check your sources”.
Kyle Walker leaving Man City surely best for all concerned
Football Insider Verdict
Things have simply not gone well for Walker on the pitch with Guardiola’s side during the current campaign.
The right-back has been nowhere near his previous levels which has led to him being caught out in ways that have cost Man City during their well below-par defence of their title.
As a result there would be questions about whether Guardiola would be making the right decision to keep him in the starting lineup at this moment in time.
Given he though is still going to want to play at a high level while he still can, a move that allows him to do that makes sense for all involved.
With that in mind it is probably right for him not to have been involved for Man City against Brentford in that game.
Keeping him out of that ensures there is no risk of him picking up an injury that puts a potential move at risk, or puts the side under pressure when he is not performing at his best.
In other news, Man City have set their sights on signing in this position in the January transfer window.
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